Installation of Susan Fogleman

Left to right-Rob Winston, DCE Shawn Maassel,Rich Hoeferkamp, 

Rev. Jim Kent, Susan Fogelman, 

Rev. Paul Liersemann, and Deaconess Sally Hiller

Susan shares a bit of her journey to the day of her installation at First Lutheran Huntington, Maryland.

"My parents began attending church in 1992 when we moved to Calvert County. 

They chose First Lutheran Church because it was a mile from our house and my aunt, who was visiting, wanted to go to a Lutheran church. My parents quickly became very active in the church. After several years, my dad, John Fogleman, became fairly active in the Southeastern District with LCEF as well.

After a few changes in majors and colleges, I graduated from Concordia University- River Forest (Chicago) in May 2008 with a Bachelors in Theology through their DCE Program.
 I was Called to serve in New Orleans with RAI Ministries at Camp Restore. I was commissioned at First Lutheran- Huntington, Maryland. But, due to issues with my dad’s health and then funding and budget cuts shortly after that, I was never installed in New Orleans. After my position was cut in New Orleans, I moved back home to help take care of my dad, for what we thought would be temporary situation. 

The Blessing

Fast forward to 2017, First Lutheran was looking for a new youth director. I had been feeling led to get back into ministry, but I was not sure how that would look or happen with still caring for my father. However, the position was part-time and I could work around my mom’s schedule. So when I was needed for church and activities, she would be home to care for my dad. I applied, interviewed, and was hired.

And then my father passed away the morning I was scheduled to be installed as the Youth Director. For years people often asked, “What are you going to do when your dad passes away?” or “What are you going to do when your mom retires and can care for your dad?” And my answer was always, “I have no clue, but I know this is where God wants me to be and so I trust that He has a plan for what comes next.” And sure enough, He did! 

                      Blessings on the newly installed Director of Christian Education.

After a year in ministry at First Lutheran, we began talking about Calling me so that I could finally become a Rostered DCE. That process went very smoothly, and I was Commissioned (Again!) and Installed on Sunday, June 16^th at First Lutheran Church-
Huntingtown, Maryland."

Left to Right- Friend Cindy Bucks, Susan Fogelman,

 Susan's mother- Paula Fogleman

Susan-

            Welcome to your continued ministry

 in the Southeastern District-

may you be a blessing to all that you 

engage with on this path!

Welcome to the SED- Lutz Family

Welcome to Rev. Elliott and Katie Lutz

 and their daughter Noel 

to the Southeastern District.

Pastor Elliott

was installed at 

Fountain of Life Lutheran Church

 in Kernersville, North Carolina.

Pastors from neighboring 

congregations came to bring encouragement

and blessings.

Vows to serve with honor for His glory.

Left- Rev. Dr. John R. Denninger- 
President of the Southeastern District
Right- Rev. Elliott Lutz

May your ministry be blessed
 with all good grace!

Aging In Grace- Upcoming Webinars

AGING IN GRACE

I encourage individual older adults and congregations concerned about aging issues to take advantage of these free webinars offered by ALOA. Adult Lutherans Organized for Action can help you make decisions about your own future and help your congregation engage in effective ministry.  These are great, no cost opportunities!   Follow ALOA on Facebook to learn about future events.         Alice Hedt, Landover Hills, MD  ahedt@aol.com

ALOA offers access to monthly one-hour webinars on specific topics meaningful to older adult ministry leaders in congregations, as well as interested individuals. Each includes an interview with a thought leader working with older adults, and will be archived for future viewing. 

CURRENTLY SCHEDULED WEBINARS

Each will be 60 minutes max. No charge.

• June 12, 2019 Webinar – 2:00 PM Eastern
  ALOA, Seniors in Transition
  Mark Schoepp, Executive Director of ALOA will interview Chrislyn Carson about “Seniors in Transition” – a resource to help older adults make pro-active decisions on living arrangements. Read more and register.

• June 18, 2019 Webinar – Noon Eastern
  ALOA – Congregational Health Ministries for Older Adults…and Everyone
  Mark Schoepp, Executive Director of ALOA will interview Colleen Botcher, RN, who serves as a congregation Parish Nurse and the New Jersey District as Parish Nurse Coordinator. Read more and register.

CONGREGATIONCONSULTATIONS

In addition to webinars, ALOA offers interactive consultation to congregations to assess their older adult ministry work. Read more, find currently scheduled consultations and register.

WEBINAR ARCHIVE  can be viewed anytime

Life-Long Discipleship: Debbie Streicher & Milestones Ministry – 4/25/19

Life-Long Health & Wellness: Karen Sue Murdy – 5/23/19

Faith of Our Mothers

I recently came across this information

 from Barna Research and find it interesting.

Whose faith influenced you?

(among practicing Christians)

Though we know that Biblical order

 states the father is the head 

of spiritual nurture in the home, 

he is often in need of encouragement.

So if we deal with the reality in many homes,

how can women take seriously

 the importance of their influence?

The percentages for teaching by example

  highlight the role that lifestyle

 gives in influence to our children.

That probably connects with the old adage that -

"seeing makes believers more than hearing."

These are also great talking points for parents.

How can they work better as a team for:

teaching the Bible, 

responding to faith questions,

praying together,

 teaching about God's forgiveness,

encouraging church attendance,

discussing God, 

and teaching about faith traditions.

It is very important to remember that -

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE,

to find a door into 

faith encouragement for our children.

Pray for them,

send them a visual prayer,

text them your prayers.

Show them how and what 

you are praying for them.

Live out a culture of prayer

 in your family-together.

Thanks to Genevieve Cooper for the photos.

Article photo from Christianity Today.